Osteoarthritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, especially among the older generation. It is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that lines your joints is worn down over time, causing your bones to rub against each other. This results in inflammation of the joints, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and trouble moving the affected joint.

Osteoarthritis can happen in any joint in our body but the common sites are hips, knees, hands, lower back (lumbar spine), and neck (cervical spine).

What causes osteoarthritis?

There are two types of osteoarthritis:

1) Primary osteoarthritis

Primary osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting those over 50 years old. It is caused by the natural wear and tear of using your joint that comes with age. This causes the cartilage to break down, leading to osteoarthritis. 

2) Secondary osteoarthritis

Secondary osteoarthritis is more common among younger age groups, particularly among athletes and other physically active people. Common causes of secondary osteoarthritis include:

• Sports injuries 

• Car accidents

• Falls

• Health conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and joint hypermobility syndromes

• Other forms of joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis

What are the risk factors of osteoarthritis?

Understanding the risk factors of osteoarthritis can aid in prevention and early intervention. Key risk factors include:

• Age: 

  • Those over 55 years old are at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis 

• Obesity: 

  • Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 and above adds stress and pressure to your joints

• Overuse injury: 

  • Using the same joints excessively without adequate rest 

• Genetics: 

  • A family history of osteoarthritis increases the risk of developing the condition yourself

• Gender: 

  • Women are statistically more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men

• Autoimmune diseases: 

  • Autoimmune diseases may damage the joints, leading to secondary osteoarthritis  

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The symptoms of osteoarthritis are usually more chronic and progressive in elderly people but can start quickly after an injury.

• Pain

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Difficulty moving the affected joints 

• Reduced ability to perform physical activities

In severe cases, the affected joints can become unusable in day-to-day life. Some may have chronic pain even while resting due to the long-term inflammation and severe damage to the joints.

How to diagnose osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis usually can be diagnosed through medical history and a comprehensive physical examination. Your doctor may review your medical history, symptoms, and relevant history. Your doctor will then examine your joints and order imaging to determine the severity of osteoarthritis.

In some cases, your doctor may perform joint aspiration. This is a small procedure in which your doctor numbs the area with a small amount of anaesthetic medication before pulling out some joint fluid to look for infection or crystals to rule out other forms of arthritis.

Your doctor may also order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to get a clearer view of your joints and cartilage.

How to treat osteoarthritis?

There are both non-surgical and surgical options available to help those suffering from osteoarthritis.

1) Non-surgical options

1. Pain relief with analgesics: 

   • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce inflammation and pain. Counter-irritants such as capsaicin, menthol, and lidocaine can also be used to soothe the nerve endings and reduce discomfort.

2. Rehabilitation exercises: exercises focused on improving strength, range of motion, aerobic capacity, and balance. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise regularly to help reduce joint pain.

   • Strengthening exercises build the muscles around painful joints and reduce the stress on the joints.

   • Range of motion exercises reduce joint stiffness

   • Aerobic or cardio exercises improve stamina and energy levels. These exercises also aid in weight loss.

   • Balance exercises strengthen the small muscles around joints to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

3. Weight loss: 

   • Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress and pressure on the affected joints.

4. Physical therapies: 

   • Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and chiropractors can provide specific exercises to stabilize your joints and ease pain.

2) Surgical option 

For severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be considered. Hip and knee joints are the most commonly replaced joints.

FAQ

Can osteoarthritis affect younger people?

Even though osteoarthritis is more common among those over the age of 55, it can also affect other age groups, especially younger people who have experienced joint overuse or injury.

How can you prevent osteoarthritis?

Regardless of your age, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This helps to improve your overall physical and mental health while reducing the risk of osteoarthritis. Healthy lifestyle habits include:

• Maintaining a healthy diet

• Controlling your weight

• Avoiding tobacco products

• Regularly performing low-impact exercises such as walking, gentle stretching, and raising and lowering legs from standing or seated position

Can you stop osteoarthritis from progressing?

While there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, various strategies can be used to help manage symptoms and potentially delay its advancement. Adopting a healthy lifestyle focused on weight management, regular exercise, and proper nutrition can significantly slow down the onset of osteoarthritis and improve your quality of life. 

For best results, schedule regular checkups with your healthcare professionals to tailor these strategies according to your personal needs. 

Can you fully recover from osteoarthritis?

Unfortunately, full recovery from osteoarthritis is not possible due to its degenerative nature. However, effective management strategies such as living a healthy lifestyle and receiving personalized treatment plans can help many people with osteoarthritis to enjoy active and fulfilling lives despite their diagnosis. 

By understanding the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for osteoarthritis, you can take proactive steps to protect joint health and improve your quality of life. 

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice, please consult a specialist at Thomson Medical. Book an appointment with Thomson Medical today.